Gimme Shelter

Dave SchulerJuly 9, 2014

A propos of the problem we’re having with large numbers of minors coming across our border with Mexico from points of origin in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and others, fearing for their safety due to the violent conditions in their home counries, I have a question. If we have a moral obligation to take them in and provide for them, do we have an equal moral obligation to keep the peace in their home countries? If not, why not?

Also, how do you reconcile that position with rights to private property and self-determination?

My own view is that we have a moral obligation only, the moral obligation has limits, and the preferred solution would be to pay their home countries to provide safe havens for them as we are already doing. Unfortunately, of the nearly $4 billion that President Obama has requested to deal with the situation, only about 8% is for that purpose which seems like the wrong balance to me.

Your somewhat arch suggestion highlights an important point: $4 billion dollars is a lot of money. For that kind of jack they could probably hire personal bodyguards for these kids. My back-of-the-envelope calculation suggests you could handle about a half million kids that way.

Of course, moral hazard is a serious problem. $5,000 could be a powerful inducement. You could have a revolving door.